Quick Facts
Origin: Thoracic aorta.
Course: Travels laterally, then in an anteromedial direction.
Branches: Dorsal branch.
Supplied Structures: Abdominal wall.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The subcostal arteries arise as paired branches from the posterolateral aspect of the thoracic aorta.
Course
The subcostal arteries course in a posterolateral direction along the posterior thoracic wall and enter the subcostal space of the twelfth rib. They subsequently curve to pass in an anterolateral direction. The arteries traverse the posterior edge of the transverse abdominis muscle.
The subcostal artery then continues between internal abdominal oblique and transverse abdominis and terminates close to the rectus abdominis. It is accompanied by the subcostal nerve (the anterior ramus of twelfth thoracic spinal nerve).
Branches
It gives a dorsal branch that travels posteriorly through the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae.
Supplied Structures
The subcostal artery contributes to the muscular, fascial and cutaneous supply of the anterior, lateral and posterior abdominal wall.
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Artery
Arteries are vessels transporting blood between heart, tissues, and other organs in order to supply them with nutrition and oxygen.
